St Joseph's School, Tara eNewsletter

Our Vision & Mission Statements

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

This year's Catholic Education Week was a wonderful celebration of being a community of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

I was so very proud of the Year 6 Leaders who travelled to Toowoomba with me to attend the launch of Catholic Education Week last Tuesday. Jasmine, Ella and Keira took part in all activities on offer. Keira read a Prayer of the Faithful during the Mass and Ella placed our school's art work and symbol of FAITH into the diocesan FAITH, HOPE and LOVE art installation.

Staff travelled to Roma to be part of the mid western schools' Bishop's Inservice Day on Wednesday. Bishop Robert, Dr Pat Coughlan and Br Damien Price challenged us to 'Be the Change!' We were shown how to come as guest to others and to listen deeply to their story by being fully present and recognising their innate goodness and dignity. The compassion we show others, liberates them and in this process we too are changed. Highlighted was the importance of 'Hill' times or times of prayer away from the crowd to enable us to replenish our spirit before going back out to continue the work of creating a community of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

The creative costumes the students wore for the Community Book Week parade, as part of the Festival of Culture, added colour to the St. Joseph's Catholic Education Week Liturgy of the Word. The student leaders of the school challenged us all to do ordinary things with great love to continue to build a community of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. Everyone enjoyed the FREE CEW pizza!

Professional Development

Inspire Maths (IM) coach, Kerri Shooter worked with our teachers this week to deepen our impact on student learning. Miss Fisher refreshed her understanding of IM pedagogy and practice and planned for personalised learning for your child's growth.

Athletics

Take two! The Small Schools Athletics Carnival will be held this Friday 5 August. The bus will depart at 6.45 a.m. The first event starts at 8.30 a.m. sharp. As light rain is predicted for the afternoon, the marching will occur later in the day if the weather remains fine. If you need to make any changes to your permission slip or transportation details, please contact the office.

St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Please join us in the hall on Thursday 4 August at 12.15 p.m. to celebrate the Feast of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Sister of St. Joseph's, Sr. Di Phillips, will visit our school on the 3rd and 4th August, to celebrate the feast day of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint and our founder. Sr Di will provide a charism retreat for staff and students. Mary MacKillop is an important part of our Catholic story. She did ordinary things that we can all do (caring for others) extraordinarily well.

Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)

The school is delighted that seven of the Year 3-6 students have been inspired to take part in this year's AMC. We wish them the very best.

Show Holiday

Don't forget the Public Holiday for the Tara Show next Monday 8 August. I will be in Cunnamulla at the Leadership Forum from Sunday. Mr Smith will be in charge during my absence.

I wish everyone a wonderful week. In the busyness of life, take a deep breath and live in the present moment because...

"There where you are you will find God" Mary Mackillop (1871)

"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds.." Matthew 7:8

Regards

Mary Porter

From the APRE

Mary MacKillop Prayer (Di Phillips rsj)

God, thank you for giving us

St Mary MacKillop.

She shows us how to love and care for each other.

May we, as members of St. Joseph's School,

listen for God's call;

make room in our hearts for all;

develop an attitude of gratitude;

and have the courage to do our bit

to make the world a better place for all we meet.

May St. Mary MacKillop help us to follow Jesus

in our everyday lives.

So that we may,

"Never see a need without doing something about it."

St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.

Learning at St Joseph's

Years 3- 6

Welcome to Term 3 and news from the Year 3 – 6’s. Firstly, we welcome our new student, Aldrich to our class. He is already an important and popular member of our class. I have been told by several staff members what an incredible class, the Years 3 – 6’s are and what leadership they show. I have to say I agree with them. Well done!

In English, students are studying the book, ‘Fog and Dox’ (not a typing error) by Bruce Pascoe which is an engaging story about kindness and friendship but also courage. Spelling and Reading continue to be a major focus for the classroom as well as targeted revision tasks for homework.

Maths continues to be examined through number talks and thinking prompts. Our strong focus this term will be on fractions and decimals as well as revisiting past topics to keep them current and familiar to students.

In Science, we will be examining ‘Earthquake Explorers, which has already caught student’s interest and engagement. Our unit in religion will examine Jesus’ New Law and we will also be examining the Saints, including our own Mary MacKillop.

Homework continues to be given to students each week on a Thursday and is due the next Thursday. Homework entails spelling, reading and tables/number facts. It is expected that it is completed each week. If students are unable to complete their homework, please send a note to school and I can work around any problems.

Please feel free to see me about your student/s at any time. You certainly don’t need to wait until the interview period.

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and fulfilling term.

God bless,

Ann Smith

Photo Time

P & F News

Homestyle Bake - This terms fundraiser is our annual Pie drive! More information and order forms are due to go out next week with more information. The P&F are fundraising for some new tuckshop equipment!

Tuckshop - GREAT NEWS- volunteers do not have to be vaccinated to work in the tuckshop or school any more!

We are in desperate need of volunteers for tuckshop duty. If you require a form, please contact the office for either the Volunteer or Induction form. They can be emailed to you or sent home with your child.